President warns against corruption in Hajj pilgrims’ management

President Abdul Hamid on Tuesday warned against negligence, irregularities and corruption in Hajj management saying that individuals, agencies and institutions involved in such practices will be punished, reports UNB.

He said this while delivering his speech during the inaugural ceremony of the Hajj programme-2019 at the Hajj Camp in Dhaka's Ashkona in the afternoon.

He also met the pilgrims there.

"You make profit from Hajj pilgrims. Don't cheat them. It's very sensitive," the president said.

He warned that anyone found guilty of mismanagement will be punished.

President Hamid also urged concerned ministries to ensure punishment of government employees for negligence, irregularities and corruption in Hajj management.

He praised the role of private Hajj agencies in Hajj management.

"More than 95 per cent Hajj pilgrims go to Saudi Arabia through Hajj agencies. From the previous experience, it's been seen that many agencies don't keep their promises to the pilgrims after reaching Makkah-Medina. As a result, the pilgrims face trouble," the president said.

He said that when Hajj pilgrims face problems, they observe various programmes including hunger strikes.

"Such activities hurt the country's image. Such fraudulence with the pilgrims isn't desirable," Hamid said.

The head of the state also requested HAAB (Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh) representatives to ensure proper management so that Hajj pilgrims do not face any harassment in Makkah-Medina.

"You (the pilgrims) will meet brothers and sisters from different countries of the world. This brotherhood plays an important role in bonding of harmony with each other. As goodwill ambassadors of Bangladesh, you'll highlight Bangladesh. You should be cautious about your language and behaviour so that others don't get any negative message," he said.

This year's Hajj flights will start from 4 July and continue until 5 August.

A total of 127,198 pilgrims from Bangladesh will perform Hajj this year. The national carrier will transport half of them.

From now on, Bangladeshi pilgrims can complete the immigration procedure from Dhaka airport before heading to Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, pilgrims were required to wait in the aircraft after landing in Saudi Arabia to complete the procedure, sometimes for up to six hours.

Liberation war affairs minister AKM Mozammel Haque, state minister for civil aviation and tourism Md Mahbub Ali, former home minister Sahara Khatun, civil association and tourism ministry secretary Md Mohibul Haque, religious affairs ministry secretary Md Anisur Rahman, Charge d'affaires of the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka Harqan bin Shawiah, and HAAB president M Shahadot Ali, among others, were present on the occasion.

State minister for religious affairs Sheikh Md Abdullah presided over the programme.